Avionics device, systems and methods of display

ABSTRACT

The present general inventive concept relates to methods and systems to select and display information on an avionics display screen. The systems and methods allow for the selection and display of information using knobs to highlight and select the desired information for display, eliminating the need for a cursor function. The systems and methods also provide for multiple pages and/or multiple windows or “tiles” within these pages and/or windows simultaneously on a single screen of a display, with each window, page, and/or tile being fully controlled independently when selected. The present general inventive concept also relates to systems and methods to provide multiple cues on an electronic display system altitude tape to a pilot in advance and impending approach to a predefined altitude. The present general inventive concept also relates to systems and methods to employ variable resolution topographical data based on display range for an avionics navigation display.

CROSS-REFERENCES

This application is a continuation of co-pending Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 14/158,545, filed Jan. 17, 2014 (the '545application), which is a divisional of U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 12/843,867, filed Jul. 26, 2010 (the '608application”), now U.S. Pat. No. 8,643,508, the entire disclosures ofwhich are incorporated herein by reference. The '608 application claimsthe benefit of, and priority based upon, U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/228,608, entitled “Information Page SelectionSystem and Method”; Ser. No. 61/228,599, entitled “Altitude MarkerSystem and Method”; Ser. No. 61/228,598, entitled “MultifunctionAvionics Display User Interface Method”; and Ser. No. 61/228,597,entitled “Dynamic Topography Resolution System and Method of Display”,all four filed Jul. 26, 2009; and U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/367,041, entitled “Avionics Display”; and Ser. No.61/367,058, entitled “Avionics Display”, both filed Jul. 23, 2010, theentire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

The present general inventive concept relates to avionics devices,displays, and systems and methods of display for avionics devices. Moreparticularly the inventive concept relates to methods and systems toselect and display information on a display screen. The systems andmethods allow for the selection and display of information using knobsto pan to desired location and to highlight and select the desiredinformation for display, eliminating the need for a cursor function. Thesystems and methods also provide for multiple pages and/or multiplewindows or “tiles” within these pages and/or windows simultaneously on asingle screen of a display, with each window, page, and/or tile beingfully controlled independently when selected. The present generalinventive concept also provides methods and systems to navigate throughthe windows, tiles and/or pages.

The present general inventive concept also relates to systems andmethods to provide multiple cues on an electronic display systemaltitude tape to a pilot in advance and impending approach to apredefined altitude. These systems and methods provide heightened safetyby providing cues that operate in unison thereby increasing a pilot'ssituation awareness of an approaching critical altitude for flightand/or giving pilots an increased sense of rate of change in altitudeduring an approach to a critical altitude for flight.

The present general inventive concept also relates to systems andmethods to employ variable resolution topographical data based ondisplay range for an avionics navigation display. The present generalinventive concept uses a smooth zoom between ranges. Both effects resultin what appears to be a constant resolution smooth zoom while changingscreen range.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional avionics displays use an X, Y cursor function to accessitems on avionics screens like airports, VOR's, and weather informationbased on down-linked reports such as METARS, AIRMETS, SIGMETS.

Conventional avionics displays are limited to providing a singlefunction for a single page. Pop up displays are provided on someconventional avionics systems. These pop-up displays have limitedfunctionality and cannot display other screens. Secondary informationassociated with a page that is not being displayed is displayed on aprimary display page with the secondary function's data changed andcombined into the primary display page and not represented as theoriginal page and data. The secondary data is displayed and is notchangeable by the user of these conventional displays.

Conventional systems use one selectable cue or bug to indicate to thepilot a selected altitude. This is problematic at least because thepilot must be prepared to make adjustments in an aircraft's headingimmediately when the pilot receives the cue. Thus, a pilot who is notobserving the particular system or otherwise is not waiting for the cuemay result in passing the selected altitude thereby requiring altitudecorrection.

Conventional avionics displays currently are limited to one resolution,or at the most, limited to two (2) levels of resolution of topographicaldata for the terrain depiction on a navigation map. Conventionalavionics displays do not store more than one level of terrain resolutionin RAM and are limited in displaying terrain data by the transfer ratesof the data storage device. This limitation of conventional displaysresults in an abrupt “step” or “jerk” in the display when a user of theconventional display switches from one resolution to another.

SUMMARY

The present general inventive concept relates to methods and systems toselect and display pertinent information regarding aeronautical andweather items on a display screen showing geographical representation ofan area. The methods and systems allow for the selection and display ofinformation using knobs to pan to desired location and to highlight andselect the desired information for display overlaid on the geographicaldisplay. The present general inventive concept eliminates the need for acursor function to perform these functions.

The present general inventive concept also relates to methods andsystems to display multiple pages and/or multiple windows or “windowtiles” within these pages and/or windows. This allows an AvionicsMulti-Function Display (“MFD”) to include several functions displayedsimultaneously on a single screen, each function capable of being fullycontrolled independently when selected. The present general inventiveconcept also provides a method to navigate through the tiles on theMulti-Function Avionics Display.

The present general inventive concept also relates to a system andmethod to provide multiple cues on an electronic display system altitudetape to a pilot in advance and impending approach to a predefinedaltitude. The present general inventive concept provides for heightenedsafety by providing cues that operate in unison thereby increasing apilot's situation awareness of an approaching critical altitude forflight.

The present general inventive concept also provides a display havingmultiple levels of terrain resolution with smooth transitionstherebetween.

The foregoing and other objects are intended to be illustrative of theinvention and are not meant in a limiting sense. Many possibleembodiments of the invention may be made and will be readily evidentupon a study of the following specification and accompanying drawingscomprising a part thereof. Various features and subcombinations ofinvention may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. Other objects and advantages of this invention willbecome apparent from the following description taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustrationand example, an embodiment of this invention and various featuresthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects and utilities of the present generalinventive concept will become apparent and more readily appreciated fromthe following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings. For the purpose of illustration, forms of thepresent general inventive concept which are presently preferred areshown in the drawings; it being understood, however, that the generalinventive concept is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a system of an exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept having a display, screen, and knobs.

FIG. 2 is a system of another exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept having a display, screen, and knobs.

FIG. 3 is a system of another exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept having a display, screen, and knobs.

FIG. 4 is a system of another exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept having a display, screen, and knobs.

FIG. 5 is a system of another exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept showing multiple pages on a multifunctionavionics display.

FIG. 6A is a system of another exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept showing a single page on a multifunctionavionics display.

FIG. 6B is a schematic view of an avionics display as in FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a system of another exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept showing multiple pages on a multifunctionavionics display.

FIG. 7B is a schematic view of an avionics display as in FIG. 7A.

FIG. 8A is a system of another exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept showing multiple pages on a multifunctionavionics display.

FIG. 8B is a schematic view of an avionics display as in FIG. 8A.

FIG. 9 is a table showing markers on an altitude tape associated with aminimums alert.

FIG. 10 is a system of another exemplary embodiment of the presentgeneral inventive concept showing markers on an altitude tape associatedwith a minimums alert.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This general inventive concept provides methods of displayinginformation on an avionics device display. Selectable items, andinformation relating to the selectable items are displayed on the devicedisplay screen. The information relating to the selectable items isderived from a source. Examples of sources of information includeNavigation Map (Airports, controlled airspace, special use airspace,navigation aids, cultural features, geographic features), METAR,AIRMET/SIGMET, and TFR weather pages. In one embodiment, the informationsource is stored internally within the avionics device. In anotherembodiment, the information source is stored at a location remote to theavionics device.

The general inventive concept maintains a dynamically variable databaseof the selectable items. In one embodiment the database is stored inRAM. In another embodiment, the database is stored on a removable SDmemory card, with relevant portions being dynamically stored in RAM. Inanother embodiment, the database is dynamically maintained at a remotelocation with periodic update broadcasts being received via satellitesignal, such as XM.

The database is accessible by a control processor of the device. Thedatabase is updated dynamically to include selectable items only withina predetermined area. In one embodiment, the database is updateddynamically by excluding items outside of the predetermined area. Insome embodiments, the predetermined area is updated dynamically, and isbased on location of an aircraft. If the aircraft is moving, thepredetermined area and the database is dynamically updated to correspondto the location of the aircraft (i.e., roving map). In some embodiments,the predetermined area corresponds to the viewable area of the devicedisplay screen. In some embodiments, the predetermined area extends justbeyond the viewable area of the display screen.

The database is updated dynamically. In some embodiments, the databaseis updated by modifying one or more of the selectable items and/or theinformation relating to the items. In some embodiments, the database isupdated by removing and/or adding one or more of selectable items and/orthe information relating to the items.

The general inventive concept enables selection of items and/orinformation in a sequential manner. In some embodiments, the itemsand/or information is selected by incrementally advancing forward andbackward through the database via rotation of a control knob. In someembodiments, the items and/or information is selected by pressing acontrol knob.

Referring to the accompanying Drawings, FIG. 1 represents an exemplaryembodiment of the present general inventive concept having a display,screen, and knobs. The general inventive concept provides for aselection of individual elements on a screen 1-44 through the use of twoknobs 1-13 and 1-9 and a plurality of buttons 1-1, 1-2, 1-3, 1-4, 1-5,1-6, 1-7, 1-8, 1-10, 1-11, 1-12, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The functionof the buttons and the knobs varies depending on which window or page isdisplayed. The function of the left knob 1-13 is indicated by the labeltoward the bottom of the screen 1-66. The function of the right knob 1-9is indicated by the label toward the bottom of the screen 1-67. Thefunction of the left button 1-12 is indicated by the label toward thebottom of the screen 1-59. The function of the center button 1-11 isindicated by the label toward the bottom of the screen 1-64. Thefunction of the right button 1-10 is indicated by the label toward thebottom of the screen 1-62.

FIG. 1 also shows five hot keys 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, and 1-8 to the rightof the screen 1-44 which may be used to toggle various features on andoff. The function of each hot key 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, 1-7, and 1-8 isindicated by the label on the screen 1-44 to the left of each button1-68. Three additional buttons above the hot keys control entering andexiting the main menu 1-3, setting and/or adjusting the map range 1-2,and reversion or manual power control 1-1. FIG. 1 also shows anautomatic dimming photocell 1-14 and a microSD card slot 1-15.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the display is equipped with severalpilot controls designed to simplify operation of the system, minimizepilot workload, and reduce the time required to access functionality.The left knob 1-13 and the right knob 1-9 are both configured such thatit may be pushed and/or rotated. Pressing the knob activates it forcontrol, and subsequent presses cycle through its available controlfunctions in a round-robin sequence. In some embodiments, each knob 1-9and 1-13 has an inactive home state to which it returns automaticallyafter a period of time of inactivity, for example, 10 seconds. Theinactive state is designed to prevent inadvertent adjustment of asetting. The knobs may be used to select a different page, window, orview or move horizontally and vertically when panning a map.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, rotating the left knob 1-13 selects adifferent page for display. The initial rotation of the knob activatesthe selection process, and continued rotation will select differentpages. This feature helps to minimize inadvertent page changes. In somefunctions, for example in map view, pressing the left knob 1-13activates panning mode. When panning mode is active the left knob 1-13scrolls horizontally across the map. When in the secondary horizontalsituation indicator view the left knob 1-13 performs a sync function forthe current course setting. When the info button is pressed, rotatingthe left knob 1-13 selects different objects on the Navigation Map(Airports/VORs) or METAR, AIRMET/SIGMET, and TFR weather pages. Pressingthe left knob 1-13 after the info button has been pressed will displaythe selected object's textual information, when available.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, pressing the right knob 1-9 moves thefocus and selects different windows on a page. When a window has focus,rotating the right knob 1-9 changes the view of the window. If the rightknob 1-9 is not pushed (to activate window selection) the initialrotation of the right knob 1-9 will activate the selection process, andcontinued rotation will select different windows. This feature helps tominimize inadvertent page changes.

The right knob 1-9 is also used to back up through multiple informationpages. The label push for back displays above the right knob 1-9 whenthis feature is available. Pushing the right knob 1-9 will back thedisplay out of information and panning, one level at a time, to returnto the basic view.

FIG. 2 shows another exemplary embodiment of the present generalinventive concept having a display, screen, and knobs. FIG. 3 shows anembodiment of the present general inventive concept where the avionicsdisplay is a primary flight display and includes an attitude display anda navigation display separated by a data bar. FIG. 4 shows an embodimentof the present general inventive concept where the avionics display is amultifunction flight display and includes a secondary attitude displayat the top left of the screen, a traffic display at the top right of thescreen, and a navigation map at the bottom half of the screen.

Referring to FIG. 2, the knobs 120, 130 provide movement of the display115 in vertical, i.e., up and/or down, and/or horizontal dimensions,i.e., left and/or right. For instance, knob 120 may be assigned tocontrol vertical movement and knob 130 may be assigned to controlhorizontal movement of the display 115.

Once the desired area of display 115 is shown, the selection of theindividual components in the selected geographical area is performed bypressing the button 140 to activate a knob 150 that highlights acomponent 166, such as, an airport, radio, or weather component. Thecomponent 166 selected is then highlighted on the screen.

Additional information related to the component 166 may then be selectedfor display by pushing the left knob 120. The information providedrepresents all of the information pertinent to the selected component160. The user can continue to select other component's information byrotating the left knob 120.

The implementation of this method for AIRMETS and SIGMETS starts with aselection key 160 named “Details” on the page used to display theseitems. When this key is pressed, one of the AIRMETS or SIGMETS symbolsor areas on the screen is highlighted.

One of the control knobs is labeled “Select.” Turning this knob choosesthe next item on the screen and highlights it. The implementation has anintelligent software algorithm that, in one embodiment, selects theitems on the screen sequentially from top left to lower right as theselection knob is turned. In another embodiment, the items on the screenare selected sequentially based on their relative distance for theaircraft.

Once the desired item is selected, pressing the knob labeled “Press forInfo” brings up a text window with all information for that itemdisplayed in this window. The window also implements a scroll functionif the data to be displayed is longer than one page.

The MAP info page function works in a similar fashion to displayspecific data on screen items such as airports. It has a fewenhancements to the original AIRMET, SIGMET page. Once the screen itemis highlighted, a small window follows that highlight with some of themost important information for that item displayed immediately.

The full information is still accessed in the same manner by selectinginfo, bringing up the large text page.

Once the large text page is brought up, display side keys are enabled toallow the user to selectively access specific information about thatairport, separately on the screen. For instance, general airportinformation is displayed by pressing the APT side key. Radio frequenciesare displayed using the FREQ side key, etc.

The implementation of this method for METARS has an additional feature.The symbols on the screen that are selected in this method for this pageare small. An additional enhancement was made to temporarily enlarge theselected item on the screen to make it more visible. The rest of thedetail information is displayed using the same method described above.

The exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept isimplemented as a software algorithm, e.g., computer readable codes, on acomputer readable medium, such as a firmware stored in the memory of theelectronic avionics device of FIG. 1, and/or of the electronic avionicsdevices shown and described in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/367,041, entitled “Avionics Display”, filed Jul. 23, 2010, orU.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/367,058, entitled“Avionics Display”, filed Jul. 23, 2010 (the entire disclosures of whichare incorporated herein by reference). For example, the electronicavionics display might include the Electronic Flight Data DisplayInstrument disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/773,419, theentire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. Forinstance, a setup procedure may be stored in a database such that, uponrequest by a user, the setup requests assignment information for each ofthe control buttons 120-160. Depending on the inputted data, the presentgeneral inventive concept will assign a function to each of the controlbuttons 120-160.

The present general inventive concept provides fully independentoperation of multiple windows or “window tiles” through the selection ofthat tile using a knob selector. Once a window tile is selected by theknob, full functionality associated with that window tile is provided.The application running in the selected window tile can be changed toany window tile application in the system with some exceptions limitedby FAA regulations.

The general inventive concept provides a method of displayinginformation on an avionics device display. The method includes selectinga device display configuration. The device display is capable of beingconfigured to display one or more display tiles simultaneously. Byemploying object-oriented programming techniques, with each tilerepresenting an independent object, each tile is capable of operating afunction, or running an application, independent of other displayedtiles. Each tile is also capable of updating information displayed inreal-time. A function or application is associated with each tiledisplayed in the selected display configuration. Although the figuresshow the general inventive concept including options for one, two, orthree tiles and a limited number of exemplary functions, orapplications, that may be assigned to each tile, one skilled in the artwill appreciate that any number of tiles may be employed and any numberof applications may be optionally assigned, while still falling withinthe scope of the claimed invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, the present general inventive concept can becustomized to have a set of multiple screen layouts in a display 5-10.In this embodiment, each screen layout has 1, 2 or 3 windows or tiles,e.g., for example, the display 5-10 has 3 tiles, 5-20A, 5-20B, and5-20C. It is foreseen, however, that other combinations can be useddepending on screen size. In other words, a larger screen willaccommodate more tiles. The present general inventive concept can be setduring an initial setup procedure to display more tiles if the displayis larger or to display fewer tiles if the display is smaller. Forinstance, in some embodiments the setup procedure requests informationrelated to display screen size. In some such embodiments, a number oftiles is determined based on the display screen size.

This general inventive concept also provides methods to navigate betweenscreens, windows, select functions within each window, and control thosefunctions for each window, using the knobs and buttons, as describedabove. The present general inventive concept allows multiple screenlayouts that a user can select.

Referring to FIG. 6A, another embodiment of the general inventiveconcept is provided. In FIGS. 6A and 6B, a single window full-screenlayout fills the entire screen of the display. This window may be usedto display one of the following views: Navigation Map (NAV MAP), Terrain(TERR), Traffic (TRFC), Lightning Sensor (STRIKES), Data Link Weather(WEATHER), or others.

Referring to FIG. 7A, another embodiment of the general inventiveconcept is provided. In FIGS. 7A and 7B, the display includes a twowindow, split screen layout. In FIG. 7A, the VFR navigation map view isdisplayed in the top window with the dedicated terrain view displayed inthe bottom window. The top window may be used to display one of thefollowing views: Terrain (TERR), Traffic (TRFC), Lightning Sensor(STRIKES), or others. The bottom window may be used to display one ofthe following views: Navigation Map (NAV MAP), Terrain (TERR), Traffic(TRFC), Lightning Sensor (STRIKES), Data Link Weather (WEATHER),Secondary HSI, or others.

Referring to FIG. 8A, another embodiment of the general inventiveconcept is provided. In FIGS. 8A and 8B, the display includes a threeWINDOW, Thumbnail LAYOUT. In FIG. 8A, the Secondary Attitude IndicatorVIEW is displayed in the top left WINDOW, Dedicated Terrain VIEW in thetop right WINDOW, and VFR Navigation Map VIEW in the bottom WINDOW. Thetop left window may be used to display one of the following views:Terrain (TERR), Traffic (TRFC), Lightning Sensor (STRIKES), SecondaryAttitude Instrument, or others. The top right window may be used todisplay one of the following views: Terrain (TERR), Traffic (TRFC),Lightning Sensor (STRIKES), or others. The bottom window may be used todisplay one of the following views: Navigation Map (NAV MAP), Terrain(TERR), Traffic (TRFC), Lightning Sensor (STRIKES), Data Link Weather(WEATHER), or others.

The present general inventive concept also provides different shapedmarkers on an altitude tape found on a Primary Flight Display (PFD)and/or Multifunction Flight Display (MFD) of an aircraft. The markersoperate in unison to provide the pilot data at, for example, 500 feet,200 feet, and the pilots desired or “target” altitude.

Methods of the general inventive concept are provided. A target altitudeis input into the device. The target altitude is stored in a database.One or more alert altitudes are calculated based on predetermineddeviations from the target altitude that has been inputted into thedevice and stored in the database. One or more marker corresponding tothe alert altitude(s) are displayed.

In some embodiments, the markers are displayed on an electronic avionicsdevice display screen. In some embodiments, the markers are displayed soas to correspond to an electronic altitude tape. In some embodiments,the predetermined deviations are stored in a database. In someembodiments, a user can modify the predetermined deviations, thusselecting his or her own alert markers. In some embodiments, thepredetermined deviations are preset and cannot be modified. For example,and not by way of limitation, one embodiment includes a predetermineddeviation (and alert marker) preset at 500 feet above the targetaltitude. In another example, a predetermined deviation (and alertmarker) is preset at 200 feet above the target altitude. In oneembodiment, the general inventive concept includes only one markercorresponding to only one alert altitude.

Referring to the Table in FIG. 9, one embodiment of the generalinventive concept includes a 500 foot marker (green marker), 200 footmarker (yellow marker), and target marker (orange or red/yellow stripedmarker).

Referring to FIG. 10, a PFD is shown with the altitude tape along theright side of the top window. The target (minimum) altitude in theexample shown in FIG. 10 is 5520 feet. FIG. 10 shows a marker (greentriangle) at 500 feet above the target (6020 feet) toward the top of thealtitude tape. FIG. 10 also shows top of a second marker (top of ahollow yellow triangle) at 200 feet above the target (5720 feet) and thetriangular marker would extend down to 100 feet above target (5620feet). Not shown in FIG. 10, a third marker (orange or yellow/redstriped triangle) would be included at the target (minimum) altitude of5520 feet.

The markers or cues may be of different shape and/or color displacedfrom the target altitude based on the importance of the referencealtitude, for example, enroute level, approach minimums, and the like.In one embodiment, the marker extends along a range of altitude thatincludes the alert altitude. In one embodiment, the marker extends alonga range from 200 feet above the target altitude to 100 feet above targetaltitude. In one embodiment, the marker is a gradient, or triangle, tobecome more apparent to a user as the target altitude draws nearer. Inone embodiment, one of the markers corresponds to the target altitude onthe electronic altitude tape.

One skilled in the art will appreciate that many different markers arepossible. For example, the marker could include an audible alert, like atone or an alarm bell. The marker could include a visual alert, like aflashing light. The marker could include both an audible and visualalert, together.

The exemplary embodiment of the present general inventive concept isimplemented as a software algorithm, e.g., computer readable codes, on acomputer readable medium. For instance, the target markers and shape,color, outlined, solid, ghost, transparency, and/or other likecharacteristics thereof, may be stored in a database such that, uponrequest by a user, the setup requests information related to targetaltitude. Depending on the inputted data, the present general inventiveconcept will determine the target marker and characteristics thereof todisplay on a screen.

The present general inventive concept also relates to an avionics devicedisplay having multiple levels of terrain database resolution withsmooth transition from one range displayed on a device display screen toa second range displayed on a device display screen. In one embodiment,the location of the aircraft is tracked utilizing a global positioningsystem (GPS) and updated regularly, preferably about every 5 minutes.Multiple levels of terrain database resolution are stored in a database.In exemplary embodiments, terrain database resolution database is storedon a removable SD memory card located in a card slot of the device. Whenthe location of the aircraft is updated, specific data from the terraindatabase resolution database is retrieved and stored in random accessmemory (RAM).

The present general inventive concept stores in RAM, all topographicdata required to fill the display screen, from a database for each ofthe settings for each resolution. The data retrieved from the terraindatabase resolution database and stored in RAM is based on the locationof the aircraft and limited in range (i.e. distance from the aircraft).Depending on the level of terrain database resolution, a greater orlesser range of data is retrieved and stored in RAM. A higher terraindatabase resolution data set will be retrieved for a shorter range(i.e., zoomed in) and a lower terrain database resolution data set willbe retrieved for a larger range (i.e., zoomed out). When data from theterrain database resolution database is retrieved and stored in RAM,data is retrieved relating to every one of the multiple levels ofterrain database resolution, each level including a different range.Thus, at any given time, the RAM will store terrain data in concentriccircles around the location of the aircraft, with the highest resolutiondata being the terrain data concentric circle closest to the location ofthe aircraft and the lowest resolution data being the terrain dataconcentric circle farthest from the location of the aircraft. As thelocation of the aircraft changes over time, the data stored on RAM isdiscarded and/or replaced by updated terrain data from the terraindatabase resolution database.

Terrain information is displayed on the device display. Terrain data ofone range and level of resolution from RAM is provided to a graphicsprocessor. Which level of resolution and range is provided to thegraphics processor is determined based upon screen size, screen shape,range to be displayed on the screen, and other factors. The graphicsprocessor processes and optimizes (shrinks, expands, extrapolates, orotherwise) the data for display based on screen size, shape and otherfactors. For example, if the range to be displayed on the screen is verytight or very close to the location of the aircraft, then the highestlevel of terrain resolution and shortest range of terrain data is used.On the other hand, if a large range is to be displayed on the screen,then a lower level of terrain resolution and longer range of terraindata is used. For example, one embodiment includes five (5) levels ofresolution 300, 90, 30, 9, and 3 arc-second and each of these levels ofresolution are keyed to the level of range on the screen.

When zooming between ranges, the present general inventive conceptcreates smooth transition to higher resolution from a lower resolution,and/or vice-versa, i.e., from lower resolution to higher resolutioninstead of a step jerk function. The smooth transition is provided for anumber of display features, including terrain, on the screen, ratherthan just jumping to the next range. In other words, as terrain isdisplayed and being viewed in a first screen resolution by a user, theuser may desire to view the terrain in a higher screen resolution andswitches a controller to select and transition to a higher screenresolution.

To transition between ranges displayed on the device display (i.e., tozoom in or out), the present general inventive concept implements asmooth zoom function. The smooth zoom function increases (or decreases)the range displayed on the screen using gradually increasing ordecreasing increments. The topographical resolution part of thealgorithm switches from one terrain database resolution database to thenext (up or down, depending on whether zooming in or out) instantly anddynamically at some point during the transition, if necessary foroptimal graphics display. The incremental range increases (or decreases)change as a decay filter function over a constant time interval. Forexample, if the incremental range increase (or decrease) is constantover time (i.e., increases or decreases by 1 nautical mile everysecond), then the decay filter function is linear. In other examples,the incremental range increase (or decrease) is exponential or doubleexponential over constant time. For instance, if a user begins at afixed range setting of 10 nm and increment the range through the next 2fixed settings, 15 nm and 20 nm, the present general inventive conceptwill increment from 10 nm to 20 nm smoothly in small steps of 1 nminitially and several nm/sec as it approaches the 20 nm screenresolution. The topographical resolution part of the algorithm willswitch from 3 arc seconds terrain database resolution to 9 arc secondsterrain database resolution instantly when the range passes through 16nm. The transition appears as a smooth zoom to the user.

The present general inventive concept stores terrain data in RAM that iscentered at the location of the aircraft, plus a buffer amount aroundthe edges of the screen to allow the aircraft to move at maximumcertified speed for its equipment and provide a sufficient amount oftime to extract the next set of topographical data from the database. Amap panning feature is also included in one embodiment such that theterrain database resolution data stored in RAM is based on coordinatesprovided by a user, rather than on the location of the aircraft.Coordinates are provided either manually by entering specificcoordinates; by panning the location of the map on the display screen;or by other known or hereinafter discovered methods.

The advantage of this algorithm is that it is very memory efficient anduses only the memory required to store what is necessary to be displayedat all ranges. The alternative would be to have all resolutions oftopographical data for the whole Earth pulled and in graphics memory,and just to access and display what is selected. This is not practicalin embedded avionics systems.

In avionics, size, power, weight, and processing speed are critical. Itis desirable to provide elements having the least weight, consume theleast power, and generate and display data immediately or at leastwithin a short amount of time so that a pilot is supplied with necessaryinformation as required. Embedded hardware and software systems used inavionics do not have the benefit of large amounts of memory andprocessing power as desktop computers do. In addition, the data must bedisplayed without much delay to the cockpit crews.

The terrain resolution database, from which data is retrieved andtemporarily stored in RAM, is stored on a removable memory device, suchas an Secure Digital (SD) memory card, in one embodiment. In otherembodiments, the terrain database is stored on an internal hard drive orother non-removable memory device; other hardware external to, butoperably connected to, the avionics device; or received viatransmission, such as XM satellite.

It will be appreciated that the general inventive concept, as describedherein, may be, and in certain embodiments is, used in conjunction withany or all of the general inventive concepts described in U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/228,601, entitled “LCDDisplay Dimming System and Method”, Ser. No. 61/228,610, entitled“Reversionary Architecture System and Method”, and Ser. No. 61/228,603,entitled “Pitot Pressure Sensing System and Method”, all three filedJul. 26, 2009, the entire disclosures of which are herein incorporatedby reference, and also U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. Nos.61/367,041, entitled “Avionics Display”, filed Jul. 23, 2010, and61/367,058, entitled “Avionics Display”, both filed Jul. 23, 2010, theentire disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference.

Various other embodiments of the present general inventive concept canbe embodied as computer readable codes on a computer readable mediumand/or computer readable recording medium (collectively “computerreadable recording medium” hereafter). The computer readable recordingmedium may include any data storage device suitable to store data thatcan be thereafter read by a computer system. Examples of the computerreadable recording medium include, but are not limited to, a read-onlymemory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), CD-ROMs, magnetic tapes,floppy disks, optical data storage devices, and carrier waves (such asdata transmission through the Internet). The computer readable recordingmedium can also be distributed over network coupled computer systems sothat the computer readable code is stored and executed in a distributedfashion. Various embodiments of the present general inventive conceptmay also be embodied in hardware or in a combination of hardware andsoftware.

Thus, while the present general inventive concept has been shown in thedrawings and fully described above with particularity and detail inconnection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical andpreferred embodiment(s) of the invention, it will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art that many modifications thereof may be madewithout departing from the principles and concepts set forth herein,including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials, shape,form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. Hence, theproper scope of the present general inventive concept should bedetermined only by the broadest interpretation of the appended claims soas to encompass all such modifications as well as all relationshipsequivalent to those illustrated in the drawings and described in thespecification.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the purpose of the annexed Abstractis to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the publicgenerally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners inthe art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology,to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence ofthe technical disclosure of the application. Accordingly, the Abstractis neither intended to define the invention or the application, whichonly is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as tothe scope of the invention in any way.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of displaying information on an avionicsdevice display, said method comprising: selecting a device displayconfiguration, wherein the device display is capable of being configuredto display one or more tiles simultaneously, each tile being capable ofoperating a function independent of other displayed tiles and each tilebeing capable of updating in real-time information displayed;associating a function for each of the one or more tiles; and displayingsaid one or more tiles on said device display.
 2. The method of claim 1,wherein said configuration includes 2 or 3 tiles.
 3. The method of claim1, wherein said functions are selected from the group consisting of:Navigation Map (NAV MAP), Terrain (TERR), Traffic (TRFC), LightningSensor (STRIKES), and Data Link Weather (WEATHER).
 4. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a first tile is limited to a first set of predeterminedfunction options and a second tile is limited to a second set ofpredetermined function options.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein afirst tile is limited to a first set of predetermined function options,a second tile is limited to a second set of predetermined functionoptions, and a third tile is limited to a third set of predeterminedfunction options.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein said first set ofpredetermined function options include Terrain (TERR), Traffic (TRFC),or Lightning Sensor (STRIKES) and said second set of predeterminedfunction options include Navigation Map (NAV MAP), Terrain (TERR),Traffic (TRFC), Lightning Sensor (STRIKES), Data Link Weather (WEATHER),or Secondary HSI.
 7. The method of claim 5, wherein said first set ofpredetermined function options include Terrain (TERR), Traffic (TRFC),Lightning Sensor (STRIKES), or Secondary Attitude Instrument; saidsecond set of predetermined function options include Terrain (TERR),Traffic (TRFC), or Lightning Sensor (STRIKES); and said third set ofpredetermined function options include: Navigation Map (NAV MAP),Terrain (TERR), Traffic (TRFC), Lightning Sensor (STRIKES), or Data LinkWeather (WEATHER).
 8. A method of displaying information on an avionicsdevice display, said method comprising: obtaining information pertainingto the device display, the information including the size of a screen ofthe device display; determining a number of tiles to be displayed on thescreen of the device display, the determination being based on the sizeof the screen; associating a first function with a first tile;associating a second function with a second tile, the second functionbeing independent of the first function; and displaying the first tileon the device display.
 9. The method of claim 8, further comprisingdisplaying the second tile on the device display.
 10. The method ofclaim 9, further comprising: associating a third function with a thirdtile, the third function being independent of the first and secondfunctions; and displaying the third tile on the device display.